Edit: Wow. Just wow. The response to this has been overwhelming. I want to say thank you for all the feedback & kind messages folks have sent me. That said... I know the idea is not perfect. Balance being the biggest challenge. But by putting our heads together we can refine the idea. I got some really good submissions from folks both in messages and comments. When I get off from work I will see what meshes well with the current concepts. Thanks for all the support on this idea! [u]Original Post:[/u] So I've been thinking...with all this rage boiling in people's blood and feces spraying in all directions from the ceiling fan...why not change things up a bit and bounce an idea off the community. This came to mind while mind numbingly soloing last week's PITA of a Nightfall Strike.... _________________ The following idea/concept will be applicable to PVE ONLY. Weapons created via the following suggestion/method should NOT be allowed in The Crucible. [i][u]I think[/u][/i] the current Exotics should be recoded to Legendary & nerfed a to bring them more in line with current Legendary Weapons. (Edit: The Community has spoken. Exotics should remain Exotic in status. Underlined the "I" in my statement to recognize my solidarity.) I see this unfolding in 2 different ways: 1. The Gunsmith be updated to perform the following idea... Or 2. A new NPC called "The Oracle". Through The Oracle/Gunsmith players can take their 100% upgraded Legendary Weapons & break them apart. For the time being we can call these weapons: Unique/Forged Rather than Purple or Yellow they can be listed as Orange, Platinum, or Turquoise. (Those colors stand out!) Default Custimization: Once disassembled you can spend Glimmer to purchase a Frame, Color Scheme, Emblem/Clan Logo(Optional), and Ammo Clip. Frame: (Gun type) Players can purchase the aesthedic look of their gun. Currently each gun type has about 3 variants/appearances in the Live Client xof Destiny. Color Schemes: Allows players to paint their Weapon & choose the colors of the gunshot/bullets fired. (Gunshot colors was suggested by User: Hades) Emblems and/or Clan Logo: Players can decorate their Weapon, by adding their favorite Emblem or their Clan Logo. Upgrade Path/Tree Customization: For this step players can use their Motes of Light, Motes of Darkness (To create a "Dark Weapon [ex: Thorn, Bad Juju]), Strange Coins, & Upgrade Materials to purchase: Elemental Coating (Special & Heavy Weapons only.) This will be how the player can choose the Element of the Gun. Upgrade Slots Here the player can choose upgrades for the weapon's ability slots per the standard Upgrade Formula. In order to maintain Balance each upgrade slotted needs to have a cost and the upgrades slotted CANNOT exceed the gun maximum upgrade point pool. Ex: Seal Clubber 4000 [i][Seal Clubber 4000 belongs to User: Trestero all rights reserved.][/i] has a max upgrade point total of 100. Extra Large Clip (increases max ammo capacity) Costs 10 points. Lock On (Shots lock-on to the Target) Costs 35 points. However if Lock-On was set as the very first Upgrade it would cost 65 points. While slotting it as the last Upgrade would be the 35 points listed earlier. (To discourage having a weapon mature into a monstrousity extremely early.) This method would forced players to think wisely & plan out their upgrade paths. Each Weapon should have: 3 Slots for Scopes (This is already in game.) 2 Unique Abilities (Stuff like "Send It", "Clown Cartridge" & etc.) 4 Damage Upgrades (Standard for every Weapon in game) 1 Hidden Max Level Bonus Ability Basically when the player FULLY upgrades the Weapon they can purchase an "Infusion of Light" from The Speaker in order to Reveal the Final and Hidden Upgrade Slot. Once unlocked the Players need to gain more Exp to unlock the slot. Then they must purchase the Unique Ability to slot in it. Abilities like: Regenerating Ammo Radar Damage to HP conversion However the Hidden Exotic Abilities need to be carefully matched and sorted by Weapon type to prevent extremely imbalanced weapons. (Balancing mechanics inspired by User: Ppotatoekiller) The end result is a True Unique/Forged Weapon tailored to the player. A one of a kind weapon. Unobtainable by anyone. Named by you. (With profanity filters in full effect. The game is rated Teen folks.) Customized to your playstyle. _______________ [i]Side Note:[/i] To address the topic of Grinding... I admit this is very grindy. However, the reason for this is because these Guns are being forged by The Player . One of many complaints going around is that Exotics are very random/feel too common and that they are too easy to get. Seeing at how powerful these weapons will ultimately become...they have to take time & effort. Also, Bungie said they want everyone's Weapon to have a story to it. The quest/adventurers/trials you endure to forge these Weapons would be that story. (Which in my personal opinion is better than say: I killed a Dreg and the Purple Engram turned into ____.) Lot of folks have a surplus of Weapon Parts, Upgrade Materials (Hadronic Essences & etc), might as well put em to use. Edit Log: Added Emblems/Clan Logo to Default Design. Added Suggestions from others in the Community. Added Balancing agents to creation concept. Named Players who had suggestions I added. Refined Exotic Hidden Trait Process. Added possible method to maintain balance. Changed the name of said Weapons to Unique/Forged Weapons Corrected the typo on "Extra Clip" Ability. Upcoming Edits: I'm working a double tonight so I have not had time to really compile any ideas and give credit to the users who have submitted them. I am working on it.